A Quick Stop Between Part 2 and Part 3

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Ok I'm not editing these so mum if you have time!!!
On day 6 we did a massive drive from Reims, across the top of Paris and straight to Hornfluer. But we made the journey even longer when we took a southern detour to Giverney. Here, there was only one thing that we were interested in seeing and that was Monet's Garden.
There are two parts in Monet's garden: a flower garden called Clos Normand in front of the house and a Japanese inspired water garden on the other side of the road. The two parts of Monet's garden contrast and complement one another. It actually went through a period of neglection but thanks to American sponsors it has been re-born to as close as possible to it's natural state when Monet lived there. Monet and his family settled in Giverny in 1883. The land is divided into flowerbeds where flower clumps of different heights create volume. Fruit trees or ornamental trees dominate the climbing roses, the long -stemmed hollyhocks and the coloured banks of annuals. Monet mixed the simplest flowers (daisies and poppies) with the most rare varieties. The very old vines of the climbing roses were most impressive and it was a shame that we had arrived just a bit to early to see them bloom.
In 1893, Monet bought the piece of land neighbouring land and the first small pond was dug and he built a garden inspired by the Japanese gardens that Monet knew from the prints he collected avidly. It really was like a dream walking through this part. The bridges, weeping willows, and water lillies are exactly like the ones in his paintings.
Monets house is an extra unexpected bonus and the colours of the garden have grown into the design of the house. Japanese prints are found in every nook and cranny of the house and his kitchen would motivate even the worst cook to create a masterpeice.
I was suprised to see that the bed that Monet slept in is ridiculously small. But later research has revealed to me that
Claude Monet wasn’t very tall, and he didn’t share his bed with his wife. They had separate bedrooms. Not because they didn’t care, but rich families copied the aristocracy and had separate ‘appartements’, though they were connected. Monet could get up very early without waking his wife. He loved to paint before sunrise. What I can tell you that the views from the bedrooms over the gardens are beautiful.
One of my photos is of mum standing in Monets first studio. It is in its original state dawned in his favorite canvases.
He kept the ones he cherished too much to sell in this room. Mum, who is an avid garden lover, loved every minute and again spent ages looking at souveniers lol. Our tour was followed by a lovely lunch in the cafe just outside the gardens and then we were off too Hornfluer. I must say that Monets Garden was a lovely day and one I was pleased to tick off my list of must sees.

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Comments

[Mum]

love from mum
Hi Rachelle as always you have done a wonderful job with your blog. I am enjoying every minute of reliving our fantastic holiday together. You said I would forget some things and I have so it is great to re-live with your photos and story. I can't wait for the next instalment. love mum xxx

[Margaret]

Beautiful
Ah! Monet's Garden was a highlight of my Paris trip as well. It's amazing the difference between your photos and mine...all the extra growth! It was such a beautiful spot and I'm sure worth the trip at any time of year.

[Gabrielle Nivison-Smith]

Still jealous!
Sounds like you are still enjoying the travels - good! It's great your Mum could spend some time with you. Showed Colin your blog and he asked if I was jealous and I said yes and then he told me I could go!!! Nice.